Chapter 105 Assassin I am your husband, this is your home
The news of Gongsun Xue's pregnancy had not spread, and the entire Yingyue Pavilion, which was supposed to be a happy occasion, was now in a state of silence. Cheng Xianzhi entered the palace several times and asked to see Lu Tingwan, but Lu Tingwan always made excuses that she was busy with her work and didn't want to see him.
Cheng Xianzhi was planning in his heart that after Gongsun Xue gave birth to the child, they would divorce and have no further contact with each other. At that time, he would formally promote Lu Tingwan to be a concubine. As for her wish to divorce, he didn't think about it at the moment.
Mid-Autumn Festival was approaching, and the grapes in Yansheng Hall were ripe. She did not go back, but Feng Xin picked the fruits early and sent fresh fruits to the various courtyards in the Cheng Mansion. The rest were made into wine. This was also Lu Tingwan's plan, and she did it on her own initiative.
Lu Tingwan had been busy with the tasks assigned by the empress dowager. She had delivered Shu brocade to each family and then held a banquet to test the public's opinion. During the banquet, she would select a few girls of marriageable age to enter the palace.
Screen the list of guests for the banquet, submit it to the Queen Mother for approval, set the table, discuss banquet details with the palace ladies in the Shanggong Bureau, and assist in supervising the progress.
This palace banquet involved royal family members, officials and noble families, and no one could slack off. She was so busy that she wished she could split herself into two parts. Empress Dowager Jiang was relieved. The more she looked at Lu Tingwan, the more she saw the same energy and persistence as she had in the past.
Lu Tingwan socialized with palace ladies all day long, and was in charge of everything from the banquet menu on the table to the selection of music, singing and dancing, and the styles of clothing, jewelry and cosmetics used by the empress dowager and concubines in the palace.
She had almost put the unpleasantness of the past few days behind her and was about to rest on her bed when the maid reminded her, "Master Lu, Minister Cheng has sent letters for several days in a row. Would you like to return them?"
Lu Tingwan smoothed his brows, the anger still lingering, "No, I'm busy."
Calm and direct, she said she would not see him, and the palace maids stopped talking when she saw this. Lu Tingwan stopped her and said, "Take those red beans under the makeup box and cook them. I want to drink some sweet red bean soup."
"Ah, ah?" The palace maid was shocked and confused.
Lu Tingwan said calmly, "Red beans are food, just enough to cook once. Go."
No matter what his intention is, if he sends it to me again in the future, I will cook it and eat it together.
She likes sweet food and specifically asked for more sugar to be added.
Mid-Autumn Festival was just around the corner. Just like last year, a palace banquet was held by the waterside pavilion in the Imperial Garden. The moonlight shone on the lake, making the waves sparkle. It was not yet late autumn, and the trees in the Imperial Garden were lush and green, and the flowers were vying for beauty. The crabapple trees between the two rows had branches that drooped downwards. Occasionally, a few koi would leap onto the water, stirring up water droplets that fell on the crabapple stamens and then slowly dripped back into the lake.
Several zither players were sitting in a pavilion in the middle of the lake. Dancers were slowly brought into the sight of the guests from a small boat. They danced to the sound of the zither, their sleeves touching the water surface and then rising and falling, just like butterflies playing in the water.
Stringed instruments and bamboo music came from all directions. The dancers on the boat were bathed in the moonlight, and their fluttering clothes looked like the Milky Way pouring down.
As night fell, the stars and the moon shone brightly, and the guests gradually took their seats. The imperial guards stood in front of and behind the imperial garden, and the palace maids walked around, holding glass lanterns, lighting up the banquet venue.
Lu Tingwan controlled the entire banquet process in an orderly manner.
The wine and drinks prepared first can be served first, Lu Tingwan instructed. One of the palace maids came over and reminded, "Master Lu, the wine on Madam Cheng's table needs to be replaced."
Lu Tingwan was puzzled and asked, "These wines are carefully selected. There are different types of fruit wines and spirits. Even if you can't drink much, you can still drink them."
The maid's expression froze, looking at her as though she didn't know anything. "Mistress Lu has been busy with the palace banquet and hasn't returned home for a long time, so she probably doesn't know. Just now, Concubine Rong specifically instructed that Madam Cheng is three months pregnant and cannot drink alcohol, so she sent someone over to replace it with tea."
Lu Tingwan clenched the handkerchief in her hand slightly. Is Gongsun Xue pregnant?
Seeing her distracted, the maid continued, "A month ago, Madam Cheng nearly had a miscarriage. Minister Cheng hurried back from the six ministries and summoned the imperial physician for a consultation. They were lucky to be able to keep this baby. This is the bloodline of the Minister of the Central Secretariat and the Minister of the Chancellery. Concubine Rong specifically instructed the servants to be very careful."
"Got it," Lu Tingwan quickly regained control of her emotions, "Change Madam Cheng's drinks to match Concubine Rong's tea."
She knew nothing about Gongsun Xue's pregnancy. Otherwise, as she was in charge of the palace banquet, she would naturally know the situation of the people attending the banquet. Only Concubine Rong was pregnant. Most of the female relatives who came to attend were unmarried women, and none of them were pregnant. She actually missed such an important link.
From what the palace maid had just said, Gongsun Xue was already three months pregnant, diagnosed a month ago. As she pushed back the time, she thought of something: Cheng Xianzhi's missed appointment that night, and Gongsun Xue nearly had a miscarriage, which was why she broke her promise and didn't keep the appointment...
Overthinking was pointless. Lu Tingwan shook her head and lost herself in the crowd. Cheng Xianzhi had turned down his colleagues' invitations to reminisce, only catching a glimpse of him at the banquet. For a month, she had rejected his requests for a meeting several times. Could it be that she blamed him for breaking his promise that day?
A chrysanthemum garden was planted in the imperial garden, and the branches grew tall, almost reaching Lu Tingwan's waistline. Cheng Xianzhi saw her from the waterside pavilion and insisted on getting to know her, not caring about what it would be like to do so in public. He didn't think there was anything wrong with arresting his own people.
Gongsun Xue was not feeling well, so she sat down early. From her seat, she saw the two people's vague backs as they walked away, with Cheng Xianzhi holding her wrist.
Lu Tingwan felt pain, and even more irritated when she saw others. She waited until there was no one around, then shook off his hand with displeasure, "Cheng Xianzhi, what are you doing? I can't leave right now."
"It's been a month, and you can't leave for even a moment?" Cheng Xianzhi's broad body blocked her way, and the air was filled with the faint fragrance of blooming chrysanthemums.
Lu Tingwan finally breathed a sigh of relief. "Isn't it the same for Minister Cheng? You can be busy and break your promises, but I can't do that."
"What's the reason for this?"
Sure enough, she was angry.
His voice softened, a hint of hoarseness mixed in with the clearness: "I was wrong about what happened that day, just because..."
"No need to explain, I know everything," Lu Tingwan said calmly, "Congratulations."
"Congratulations for what?" Cheng Xianzhi frowned.
"Congratulations to Minister Cheng on becoming a father. If Concubine Rong hadn't reminded me just now, I wouldn't have known about this happy event."
"Are you unwilling to go back because I broke my promise?" Cheng Xianzhi ignored her blessing because this was not his child at all.
Lu Tingwan found it ridiculous. On the one hand, he was in love with Gongsun Xue, and on the other hand, he came to pester her. How could she not have realized that Cheng Xianzhi was like this?
"Cheng Xianzhi, have we crossed the line between you and me?" She was very clear-headed.
"Crossing the line?" Cheng Xianzhi didn't want her to distance herself from him, nor could she. "As long as you and I are still together, nothing I do will be considered crossing the line."
"Jinhua Palace is not your home. Why are you staying here instead of going back home during your rest period?" Cheng Xianzhi wanted to confess, "Are you hiding from me?"
"The Cheng Mansion is not my home either."
"Why not?" Cheng Xianzhi took a step closer, his eyes radiating love without reservation. "I am your husband, and this is your home."
Husband? Lu Tingwan felt extremely unfamiliar with this title. She had never associated him with this identity before, never!
"You are not my husband, you are only Gongsun Xue's husband. You have your own children, and I have always been an obstacle between you two. You should tear down this barrier instead of building it higher and higher, making it more and more imprisoned."
"you……"
"Cheng Xianzhi, I don't want to be a concubine," Lu Tingwan said calmly, yet with a hint of yearning. "I know that to gain the Queen Mother's favor in Jinhua Palace, you must have been behind the scenes, fanning the flames. I don't want to know what your plan is."
"Whether it's the Cheng Mansion or the Jinhua Palace, I'm just a captive sparrow, living under the eaves of wealth and luxury, but I don't want to..."
Cheng Xianzhi felt vaguely uneasy. This was not the place to talk about Gongsun Xue. He had never thought of keeping her in captivity, he just hoped to keep her.
She compared herself to a barrier and never thought of interfering in the relationship between the two. She had no choice before, but now she could use Jinhua Palace to stay away from them, which was also her way of getting out of the situation.
"After the palace banquet is over, I will take a break and go back to the Cheng Mansion."
There was a hint of joy in Cheng Xianzhi's eyes, but it was too short-lived as Lu Tingwan cruelly extinguished it.
"You promised me that you would allow me to divorce you. Once I get the divorce papers, we will owe each other nothing from now on."
Lu Tingwan was about to walk around him. As she passed him, Cheng Xianzhi took a step back, secretly clenching his fists, "Lu Tingwan."
Lu Tingwan paused slightly and looked forward, "You always like to call me Lu Tingwan, but that's not my name."
After saying that, he walked away.
"Jiang Yanli..." After a long time, the person behind the chrysanthemum screen murmured softly.
All the guests attending the banquet were present. The conversation just now made the originally calm Cheng Xianzhi extremely irritated. Gongsun Xue stared at the returning figure.
After Cheng Xianzhi sat down, he didn't even look at her. He poured himself a glass of wine and drank it all in one gulp. The wine was so hot and painful when it entered his throat, and he swallowed it along with the pain in his heart. However, the spiciness of the wine dissipated quickly, but the pain in his heart lingered.
Not far away, Jiang Qingsheng was chatting and laughing with his friends, and his eyes fell on Gongsun Xue from time to time. Gongsun Xue avoided him. Since she was diagnosed with pregnancy, the two had no appointments to meet again.
Jiang Qingsheng is a playboy, and he has no real feelings for Gongsun Xue. He just wants to sleep with her for a while and feel good about it. Gongsun Xue does not expect much love from him. At least when the two of them are together, he cares for her and he feels happy too.
As for Jiang Qingsheng, he was just a means for Gongsun Xue to take revenge on Cheng Xianzhi. They each got what they needed, put on their clothes and got off the bed, and then they became strangers.
Li Tingfeng and Concubine Rong attended the event together. Concubine Rong's belly was bulging, and she was about to give birth in less than three months. Standing next to Empress Dowager Jiang was Lu Tingwan. Cheng Xianzhi, who had been keeping his head down and keeping silent, regained some vitality in his eyes after seeing Lu Tingwan.
Until the banquet officially began, those eyes never left Gongsun Xue. Even if he wanted to be angry at this moment, he had no reason to be angry. He should restrain himself.
But when she thought that the child in her belly belonged to someone else, she could only keep silent, silently endure everything, and endure his even more unscrupulous gaze.
"With the blessing of the Empress Dowager, we celebrate the festival together with all the nobles at this palace banquet. May we have a peaceful and prosperous age, tranquility on the borders, and no more wars." Li Tingfeng raised his glass and everyone stood up to echo him.
"The Queen Mother lives long, the monarch is virtuous, and it is a blessing for the Great Lan."
The sword dance became faster with the sound of the flute. The twelve people leaped into the air like fairies scattering flowers and landed lightly on the ground. Their long sleeves moved with their dance moves, and every step they took corresponded to the beat of the drum.
Li Tingfeng and Concubine Rong exchanged glances. Empress Dowager Jiang looked at the noble lady seated at the table. "Concubine Rong is the only one favored by the Emperor, and she shares a deep affection with His Majesty. Looking out at the Imperial Garden, the autumn colors abound, but one cannot admire a single flower alone. Concubine Rong is pregnant with an heir, so it is inconvenient for her to serve. The harem is sparsely populated, and the Emperor should select a newcomer to bring some fresh life into the palace."
Li Tingfeng said, "I think that although the flowers are beautiful, I am not feeling well and cannot bear to break off the branches even if I cannot take good care of them."
The Empress Dowager chuckled softly, fanning her face gently. "The Emperor is kindhearted. The imperial family is not like ordinary people. When the late Emperor was alive, the harem was full, a testament to the majesty of our dynasty. Moreover, Your Majesty has been on the throne for nine years, and the harem has been deserted. I am deeply grateful to you for sharing His Majesty's worries. How can you say that you are not willing to protect us?"
Li Tingfeng's voice sank slightly. Queen Mother Jiang had set up a trap tonight, and she wouldn't let him get away with it so easily. "Your Majesty's teachings are correct. In your opinion, do you have any candidates?"
"It's not that I insist on Your Majesty taking a concubine. Your Majesty's diligence is certainly a virtue, but the heir to the throne is the foundation of the nation. The imperial physician says Concubine Rong is pregnant with a girl?" Queen Mother Jiang said calmly, "Before his death, the late emperor was most concerned about the continuation of the royal bloodline. I recently dreamed of the late emperor. He looked worried, as concerned about state affairs as ever..."
"If your father is still alive, he will surely understand that I, your son, prioritize state affairs..."
"State affairs and family matters are one and the same." The Queen Mother suddenly changed the subject. "I heard that Minister Liu's daughter is both talented and beautiful, strong and healthy, gentle and dignified. I am delighted to see her. Minister Liu's eldest son also serves in the six ministries and has raised his children well."
Li Tingfeng was not without desire, but he did not dare to accept the person chosen by Queen Mother Jiang. However, the Queen Mother wanted to test him, so why not take the opportunity to see who was willing to get close to the Jiang family?
"What an honor it is to bear children for Dalan," said Queen Mother Jiang. "The Emperor is devoted to his country, disregarding his own health and busy with affairs of state. The people of Dalan are grateful to our lord, and his legacy will be passed down through the ages. What do you think, my dear Lord Liu?"
"The Queen Mother is absolutely right," Minister Liu said hurriedly, apprehensively, "but your Majesty's health is paramount, and Dalan's heir is also of paramount importance."
The dancers showed off their skills. Some people at the banquet were mesmerized, while others had long lost interest in the banquet. Cheng Xianzhi had no leisure time. Since the banquet began, Lu Tingwan had spent most of the time by the Queen Mother's side. Cheng Xianzhi's eyes fell on her, and he listened to the Queen Mother Jiang's plans.
"In that case, would you be willing to..."
When the last sound of the piano faded away, the twelve dancers scattered like swords. They removed their waist belts and drew out their soft swords, leaping towards the emperor and Queen Mother Jiang who were sitting high. Cheng Xianzhi, who had been watching them with a straight gaze, felt the light and shook the wine glass in his hand with internal force, knocking away the sword that was close to the Queen Mother. The sharp edge pierced through the cup and deflected the sword.
In an instant, the strings of the zither broke, the cups and plates shattered, and a cry of horror broke the joyful atmosphere of the banquet.
Cheng Xianzhi was the first to shout, "There's an assassin, protect the emperor!"
Just as the assassin drew his sword, the imperial guards had already drawn theirs. Suddenly, chaos broke out at the banquet, and the imperial guards led by Xie Zhao rushed in from outside the imperial garden.
Cheng Xianzhi watched Lu Tingwan's movements in panic. Xie Zhao's figure stood out from the crowd. Some of the imperial guards were escorting people out, while the rest were fighting with the assassins. However, the number of assassins had increased without them noticing. Even the opera troupe that had been performing outside the palace earlier joined the melee with knives in hand.
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